We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion November newsletter. Each month, we share news, upcoming events, and important information from our cabinet.

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY WEEK REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT LOCAL, DIVERSE BUSINESSES IN CITY CONTRACTS

The City’s second annual Supplier Diversity Week took place last week, reaffirming the City’s commitment to supporting local, diverse businesses through City contracts. 

As part of this effort, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Cambridge City Manager signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) entitled “Compact to Build Local Economic Growth.” The memorandum is a public commitment by the City of Boston and City of Cambridge to work together to advance shared supplier diversity goals. This includes increasing public contracting for minority-owned (MBEs), women-owned business enterprises (WBEs), veteran-owned (VBEs), and LGBTQ-owned business enterprises (LGBTQBEs).

The Mayor also announced the opening of applications for the Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) Grant Program and the release of the annual Equity in City Contracts Report paired with a new data dashboard. Supplier Diversity Week also featured a series of events and workshops coordinated by the City's Department of Supplier Diversity aimed at supporting residents and local businesses.

OEOI WELCOMES DETHIE NDAYE FROM KAFOUTINE, SENAGAL

On Friday, October 25, representatives from the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, including Chief Segun Idowu and the City’s Global Affairs team, welcomed Dethie Ndaye from Kafountine, Senegal, to Boston City Hall.

Mr. Ndaye visited on behalf of Kafountine Mayor David Diatta, engaging with the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion to reinforce both cities' commitment to ongoing discussions about economic collaboration and climate initiatives.

Also in attendance were Leonard Tshitenge, founder of Consciously Exposed Consulting, and Akou Diabakhate, owner of BoldSkinBabe, who shared their insights as business leaders representing Senegal in Boston.

The meeting explored opportunities for international collaboration, investment, and partnership, with a focus on fostering economic development, cultural exchange, and urban growth initiatives between Boston and Senegal.

OEOI TRAVELS TO CHINA TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BOSTON AND GUANGZHOU

Deputy Chief Donald Wright, Deputy Director of Global Affairs and Protocol James Colimon, and Business Strategy Manager Shanice Wallace traveled to Guangzhou, China in September on behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. Their visit was in conjunction with their participation in the 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo Promotion Conference and the 9th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference Day, organized by the Hangzhou Municipal Government.

During their time in Guangzhou, they toured various cultural, educational, and innovation hubs, including Bio-Island, the historic Canton Opera Museum, and the Guangzhou Development District—a leading center for research, technology, and international cooperation.

They met with Mayor of Hangzhou Yao Gaoyuan, Executive Vice Mayor Chen Jie, representatives from the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office, and other Guangzhou officials and other local officials. Discussions focused on potential partnerships in green development, vocational training, and healthcare, and highlighted key initiatives such as youth exchange, sports collaboration, and sustainable city planning. The delegation and officials shared a commitment to strengthening the historic partnership and fostering future collaboration between Boston and Guangzhou.

NIGHTLIFE ECONOMY

NIGHT CAP EVENING CAFE & EVENT SERIES

November 6-7, 12-14, 19-21 | Boston City Hall | 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Night Cap is a coffee lounge hosted in Boston's City Hall for eight nights this month. It fosters community through art, music, and coffee. Night Cap is supported by the City of Boston's Wake Up the Night Grant.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

BEHIND THE SCENES OF A SPACE GRANTEE

November 6 | Democracy Brewing | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Join Pacesetters for the next installment of the Behind the Scenes of an MBE series, featuring some of the winners of the City of Boston’s Supporting Pandemic-Affected Community Enterprises (SPACE) Grant. Participants will have the unique opportunity to hear directly from the founders about how they transformed their businesses into the successes they are today.

SMALL BUSINESS

WORKER EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP

November 7 | Virtual | 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Join the Office of Small Business and Lawyers for Civil Rights for a workshop on workers' rights and empowerment.

LICENSING

LIQUOR LICENSE OFFICE HOURS

November 13 | Virtual | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

The City of Boston Licensing Board hosts virtual office hours addressing the liquor license application process. November 13 will be the last office hours session that takes place prior to the liquor license application deadline on Friday, December 6.

DORCHESTER REPORTER

New liquor licenses spur intense interest

Gov. Maura Healey last month signed state legislation that will make 225 new liquor licenses available to businesses across Boston’s neighborhoods over the next three years. [READ MORE]

NBC NEWS

Dani's Queer Bar opens in Boston, giving Beantown its first lesbian bar in decades

The new venue has branded itself as a “space for Sapphic, trans and non-binary community members.” Dani's Queer Bar was a recipient of the City of Boston's first round of SPACE Grants in May 2023, which helped bring the bar to fruition. [READ MORE]

BOSTON.COM

The ultimate guide to late-night food in Greater Boston

Diner demand, staffing issues, and COVID have contributed to Boston's late-night food struggles. Our guide proves there are still plenty of options to support. Corean Reynolds, Director of Nightlife Economy is interviewed. [READ MORE]

SERVICES | EVENTS | NEWS | DEPARTMENTS

Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion

1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201

econdev@boston.gov

617-635-5729

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